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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider ABAP urges World Boxing to review boxing results at SEAG

ABAP urges World Boxing to review boxing results at SEAG

Published Dec 20, 2025 03:56 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK — The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) is calling for a closer review of the boxing results at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, citing what it described as blatant irregularities that allowed the host country to claim 14 of the 17 gold medals on offer.
JAY BRYAN Baricuatro, in blue, battles Thitiwat Phlongaurai of Thailand. (POC Media Pool)
JAY BRYAN Baricuatro, in blue, battles Thitiwat Phlongaurai of Thailand. (POC Media Pool)
BANGKOK — The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) is calling for a closer review of the boxing results at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, citing what it described as blatant irregularities that allowed the host country to claim 14 of the 17 gold medals on offer.
Although results couldn’t be overturned, ABAP secretary general Marcus Manalo is formally writing to the World Boxing to initiate at least an inquiry to the results. 
“We'll write to World Boxing, our international federation, to at least have an inquiry,” said Manalo. 
“Tingnan nyo lang kung ano yung nangyari. May irregularities ba o wala. And then they decide for themselves,” he added. 
Manalo was fuming at ringside on Friday, Dec. 19 as PH boxers once again got the short end of questionable decisions of the judges, particularly on the gold-medal bout of Jay Brian Baricuatro who lost via a split 3-2 decision against a Thai opponent, Thitiwat Phlongaurai.
“Iyong fact lang na 16 of 17 boxers ng Thailand in the finals and they got 14 gold medals out of the 17. So mukhang may irregularities yata,” cited Manalo.
“That's something na we really need to improve on sa sport. Otherwise, baka wala tayo sa Olympics ito after LA 2028. So yung mga ganitong tournaments, nakikita ng IOC yan. So we really have to be careful and that's what we're going to express sa World Boxing,” he added. 
Manalo argued that Baricuatro could have won a gold medal if not for a crucial third round scoring that favored the Thai. 
“We have an inquiry here dahil hindi pwedeng maulit yung mga ganitong, may blatant na bad decisions,” said Manalo whose boxers finished with a gold, three silvers and six bronzes. 
“Kay Baricuatro, kailangan ko lang ipadala sa World Boxing yung third round. We lost the third round, 2-3. Na-deduct-an yung tie in the last round. Bakit na-deduct-an? Kasi kumakapit na. Wala nang lakas, kaya na-deduct-an. Paano mananalo sa scorecard?” he added. 
Manalo such errors have no place in boxing – a sport that is endangered of getting removed to the Olympics beyond 2028.
“Ipapadala ko lang yun sa World Boxing, napaka-blatant na judging error yun. Inexcusable yun. So unless you're either corrupt or you're incompetent. Which is walang lugar dito yun,” he said.
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